AWAKE YOURSELF, LOOK UP AND LISTEN! - Isaiah 51

22nd of the 8th month 2018/2019

Shalom all,

Romiyim/Romans 13:11-12 “And do this, knowing the time, that it is already the hour for us to wake up from sleep, for now our deliverance is nearer than when we did believe. 12 The night is far advanced, the day has come near. So let us put off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”

Sha’ul was making a great appeal back then, in his letter to the believers in Rome! It is an appeal that is still being made very loud and clear today… especially as we consider that our deliverance is nearer than many would care to believe! The call is clear – WAKE UP! And the choice is clear – walk in life or sleep in death! As we consider these words of Sha’ul we need to make sure that we are awake to the Truth and be urgent in our need to be perfecting our set-apartness before Elohim.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘wake up’ comes from the root word ἐγείρωegeirō – Strong’s G1453 which means, ‘to raise up, to waken, stand’.

A derivative of this root is the word γρηγορέωgrēgoreō – Strong’s G1127 which means, ‘to be awake, keep watch, alert, vigilant, be cautious, give strict attention to’, which is translated as ‘staying awake’, in:

Ḥazon/Revelation 16:15 “See, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who is staying awakeand guarding his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.”

The call that we see being given repeatedly throughout Scripture, is a call to wake up from sleep and walk in the Truth! Sadly, there are still so many who are not being awakened to the Truth, as they continue to shut their ears and eyes from hearing and seeing the Truth.

The hour has come for us to wake up from sleep and here in these words of Sha’ul, the Greek word that is translated as ‘sleep’ comes from the word ὕπνοςhupnos/hypnos – Strong’s G5258 which means, ‘sleep’;and while it certainly means, ‘sleep’, it also carries the understanding of ‘being under, put under’.

In fact, we get our English word ‘hypnosis’ from this word.

Hypnosis is a trance-like state that resembles sleep, but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject!

In Greek mythology, ‘Hypnos’ was the personification of sleep and was, according to their mythology, the Greek mighty one of sleep, whose palace was in a dark cave where the sun never shone; and at its entrance there were poppies and other hypnotic plants.

The Roman equivalent, to this Greek mythological pagan mighty one, was ‘Somnus’, from which the English word ‘insomnia’ is derived, coming from the construct of two root words: 1) ‘in..’ meaning ‘no or to not’ and 2) ‘somnus’ meaning sleep!

So, what we are able to clearly understand, in this clear call to ‘wake up from sleep’ is that we are to ‘keep awake, be vigilant’ and make sure that we DO NOT SLEEP, or get hypnotised under the spell of the false doctrines of man!

This is a huge wake-up call, that should warn us against complacency and the vain assumption that many often have, thinking that they are standing strong while there are subtle compromises in their lives!

It is time for the Bride to rise and shine, for our Light has come and it is time to let His esteem shine through us:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 60:1-2 “Arise, shine, for your light has come! And the esteem of יהוהhas risen upon you. 2 “For look, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness the peoples. But יהוהarises over you, and His esteem is seen upon you.”

We are to put off ‘darkness and sleep’ and put on the Master יהושעMessiah – The Light and walk in His Torah as children of light!

Eph’siyim/Ephesians 5:14 “That is why He says, “Wake up, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Messiah shall shine on you.”

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 15:33-34 “Do not be led astray, “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34Wake upto soberness, righteously, and do not sin, for some do not have the knowledge of Elohim. I speak this to your shame.”

For far too long, we have seen how the enemy has caused many to fall into a deep sleep, by promoting lawlessness as an acceptable means of worship! And we, who are in Messiah, must recognise that we have a great responsibility in guarding the charge to be sober and alert, while being trustworthy watchmen on the walls as we are diligently proclaiming the Kingdom and Besorah (Good News) of Messiah.

In continuing with this call to wake up and stay awake, I would like to take a closer look at a very encouraging chapter that also echoes this clear call! A call to not only wake up, but also to listen up!

In a message called, ‘AWAKE YOURSELF, LOOK UP AND LISTEN!’ please turn to Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51 (read).

This chapter contains some great nuggets of a ‘joy awakening truth’ that many need to hear today!

In this message I will be taking as closer look a few of these powerful nuggets, in the hope to awaken and stir up your belief and fan into flame, the great joy of serving an awesome and mighty Redeemer!

In summary, the structure of this chapter carries great insight for us, by helping us understand just how alive these words are for us today. These words are encouraging words, given to the remnant faithful, from יהוה.

In these words, we see the reminder of the Covenants of Promise, to those who are actively listening, pursuing and seeking יהוה; as He reminds us of what He has done and that His Word will not fail, therefore encouraging us to not fear man.

We then see an appeal and urgent call, by the remnant, for יהוהto awaken, rise up and bring the promised deliverance, with a call for Him to also allow the ransomed to return! To which He responds with assuring words of comfort and protection. Then, a very loud call is given by יהוהfor Yerushalayim to wake up and that it was time to no longer be drinking of the cup of His wrath, as He who pleads for us shall take the cup of reeling out of our hands and put it into the hand of our enemies.

Chapter 52 continues this flow of equipping words of encouragement, with a call not just to awake, but to wake up and get dressed!

In a nutshell, that is the summary of the chapter, so now let us look a little deeper and see some of the very powerful and encouraging Truths that are contained herein. Encouraging truths that certainly ought to inspire us to be guarding His Torah and doing right-ruling at all times, while being equipped, filled and strengthened with joy, as we serve Him, praise Him and give Him continual thanks, with gladness, aměn!

Verse 1: LISTEN TO ME!

This chapter begins with an awakening call for Yisra’ěl to listen up! יהוה was, through His prophet, speaking very loudly and clear, to a people who had not been listening and had been facing the consequences of His disciplining judgment for their lawlessness. While they had not been listening in the past, it was time to wake up and listen!

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 25:4 “Moreover, יהוהhas sent to you all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 29:19 “For they did not heed My words,’ declares יהוה, ‘which I sent to them by My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, yet you did not listen,’ declares יהוה.”

Yirmeyahu/Jeremiah 35:15 “And I sent to you all My servants the prophets, rising up early and sending them, saying, ‘Turn, each one from his evil way, and make good your deeds, and do not go after other mighty ones to serve them, and you shall dwell in the land which I have given you and your fathers.’ But you have not inclined your ear, nor obeyed Me.”

The phrase, ‘listen to Me’ is written in the Hebrew as follows: שִׁמְע֥וּאֵלַ֛י – shim’uelay

The Hebrew root word that is used here for ‘listen’ is שָׁמַעshama – Strong’s H8085, which carries a greater meaning than just to simply hear, as it means, ‘listen with attention, comprehend and discern, give heed to what is being spoken’.

So, when we hear the words, ‘he who has ears to hear let him hear what the Spirit says’, we are able to clearly see that it is only those who are truly standing on their feet (that is – those who are faithfully obeying and walking in the commands) that will have ears to hear.

Any disobedience to the commands, or any rejection to walking according to the Torah of Elohim, will result in one being deaf to the Spirit, and so be unable to be led forth in the Truth, as they who do so have turned their ear away from the hearing of the Torah!

Those who have ears to hear, in order to do, as they stand firm on their feet, will hear the clear instructions attentively with great care and guard to do them.

We can certainly see that this kind of hearing that is called for, is not very apparent among the masses today!

Most people are simply seeking to having their ears tickled and are not listening attentively, because they forget what they hear and are doing that which Ya’aqoḇ/James warns against – do not be like a man who looks in the mirror and forgets what he sees!

This call being given, to listen to יהוה, was being given to who?

The answer is given to us straight away: you who pursue righteousness, seeking יהוה

What we are able to identify here, at the beginning of this chapter, is a clear separation between those who have ears to hear and those who do not! Those who have ears to hear this call are those who are pursuing righteousness and seeking יהוה!!!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘pursue’ is רֹ֥דְפֵי – roḏephey, which comes from the root word רָדַףraḏaph – Strong’s H7291 which means, ‘to pursue, chase, follow closely after, aim to secure, run after, hunt, persecute’ and in the context of pursuing and running after, we note that it is after righteousness and not anything else.

If one is truly pursuing something, then the focus of the pursuit is so intense on that which is being pursued that there can be no effort spared for anything else!

This root word רָדַףraḏaph – Strong’s H7291 is used in:

Hoshěa/Hosea 6:3 “So let us know, let us pursueto know יהוה. His going forth is as certain as the morning. And He comes to us like the rain, like the latter rain watering the earth.”

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 16:20 “Followrighteousness, righteousness alone, so that you live and inherit the land which יהוה your Elohim is giving you.”

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘righteousness’ is צֶדֶקtseḏeq – Strong’s H6664 which means, ‘righteous, just, righteousness’, which is often written in the feminine form of צְדָקָהtseḏaqah – Strong’s H6666 meaning, ‘righteousness, righteous acts, merits, righteous deeds’

The clear definition of righteousness is given to us in:

Deḇarim/Deuteronomy 6:25 “And it is righteousness for us when we guard to do all this command before יהוה our Elohim, as He has commanded us.”

Our belief in our Master and Elohim must be seen in our works of righteousness as we guard to do all He has commanded us to!

To follow righteousness alone is to follow our Master and Elohim, and King of Righteousness, יהושע Messiah.

Mattithyahu/Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they shall be filled.”

We know that the Torah teaches us that man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of יהוה. With a proper fleeing of that which is false we must be engaged in an active pursuit of that which is True and life to us.

The Greek word that is translated as ‘righteousness’ is the noun δικαιοσύνηdikaiosunē – Strong’s G1343 which means, ‘righteousness, justice’ and this is the word that is used in the LXX (Septuagint – Greek translation of the Tanak), to describe Aḇraham:

Berěshith/Genesis 15:6 “And he believed in יהוה, and He reckoned it to him for righteousness.”

This call that is being given, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51, for those who are pursuing righteousness, is an encouraging call to keep pursuing and be more righteous, amidst a dark and depraved world!

Ḥazon/Revelation 22:11-12 “He who does wrong, let him do more wrong; he who is filthy, let him be more filthy; he who is righteous, let him be more righteous; he who is set-apart, let him be more set-apart. 12 “And see, I am coming 12speedily, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according to his work.”

These words of our Master, that were spoken to Yoḥanan, after seeing some very intense visions of what is to come, gripped me again this week and as we take some time to consider this command, we who are set-apart in the Master need to make sure that set-apartness and righteousness be increased and guarded in our lives, through a proper loving obedience and observance of the Torah and commands of our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah!

These words were some of the final words that Yoḥanan would receive in his revelation of Messiah, and that which is to come, and therefore emphasises the sobering fact of how a clear separation of the righteous and the unrighteous will be made clearer, and more evident, as the day of the wrath of יהוה draws near.

As His day draws near we recognise that a time is fast approaching, where it is as though there will be no more time for people to change their ways, as the line in the sand of separation will have been drawn, so to speak!

There is a direct contrast being made here between good and evil and this highlights a time where those who are evil will simply continue to be evil and those who are good are called to keep being good, echoing a similar language we find in:

Dani’ěl/Daniel 12:10 “Many shall be cleansed and made white, and refined. But the wrong shall do wrong – and none of the wrong shall understand, but those who have insight shall understand.”

I am mentioning these verses as I find it fitting, in strengthening the call that is being given to us here in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51. Are you pursuing righteousness and seeking יהוה? Do you have ears to hear what the Spirit is saying to the remnant Bride of Messiah? Then listen up very closely and keep pursuing!

Our Master encourages us to not worry as the nations do, but make sure we are seeking Him and His righteousness:

Mattithyahu/Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the reign of Elohim, and His righteousness, and all these shall be added to you.”

The Greek word used for ‘seek’ is ζητέωzēteō – Strong’s G2212 and means, ‘to seek, inquire, try to obtain, strive after, to aim at, crave for, and to seek in order to find out by thinking, meditating and reasoning’.

Qolasim/Colossians 3:1-2 “If, then, you were raised with Messiah, seek the matters which are above, where Messiah is, seated at the right hand of Elohim.2 Mind the matters above, not those on the earth.”

To ‘seek’ takes diligent effort; and to ‘seek His kingdom and His righteousness’ speaks of diligently seeking and meditating on Him and His instructions (Torah) – something that is severely lacking in a great way today!

The question remains, ‘what are you seeking?’

Whatever you are seeking will take time and effort and what everyone needs to assess is whether they are seeking their own interests or whether they are seeking first the reign of Elohim and His righteousness!

The Hebrew word that is translated here as ‘seek’ is מְבַקְשֵׁ֣י – mebaq’shey which comes from the root wordבָּקַשׁbaqash – Strong’s H1245 which means, ‘to seek, aim, search, look, inquire’, and here, it is written in the ‘piel’ form, which expresses an ‘intensive or intentional action’ and could therefore be expressed as, ‘seek earnestly or seek the face, seek to find, demand, desire, ask’, and this kind of ‘seeking’ is an intense seeking with a purpose!

The ancient script has this letter as , which pictures a tent floor plan and means, ‘house’ or ‘tent’. It represents family and the importance of those who are inside the tent as opposed to the tent structure itself. We also recognise that the House/Dwelling Place of Elohim is the body of Elohim that is built up as living stones in our Master, יהושע Messiah. A house/tent speaks of your family and to whom you belong and under whom you submit and adhere to, as the House of Elohim has clear instructions for those in the House! The Light (that is His Word) is for those in the House!

Quph – ק:

This is the Hebrew letter ‘quph’, which is pictured in the ancient script as – – which is a picture of ‘the sun at the horizon’ and depicts the elements of ‘time’, as it pictures the sun in its rising and setting. It therefore carries the meaning of ‘circle’ or ‘to go around’, representing for us both, appointed cycles or times as well as eternity. It also is understood as the ‘gathering of the light’ as has the understanding of that which is ‘continual’ and signifies a continued pattern that is faithfully repeated.

Shin -שֵׁ:

This is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is a picture of ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food. Understanding the concept of eating our daily bread, as we meditate on the Torah day and night, we also see this picture rendering for us the meaning of ‘The Word’.

When we consider this pictographic rendering of the Hebrew word בָּקַשׁbaqash – Strong’s H1245 in terms of ‘seeking’ then we are able to see the meaning that is clearly expressed through this word, as it can render for us the following:

DWELLING CONTINUALLY IN THE WORD!

I do think that this clearly expresses what proper seeking Elohim and His righteousness entails!

How earnestly are you seeking Elohim and His righteousness? Are you dwelling continually in His Word? By ‘dwelling continually in His Word’ I do not mean being buried in the reading of His Word for 24 hours with no time for anything or anyone else, but rather that one’s life is continually centred around His Word, which entails a proper diligent reading, studying and seeking and then the proper practical application of the Word that is studied in all you do! Dwelling continually in His Word means that all that you think, say or do is done in the Name of יהושע. Dwelling in His Word involves a proper understanding of how we are living stones that are being built up in Messiah and therefore recognise that we are no longer our own and to seek our own ways would be a foolish thing done in pride!

The Hebrew word בָּקַשׁbaqash – Strong’s H1245 can also carry the meaning of, ‘desire, consult, discover, call upon’ and therefore implies that this kind of seeking is done in order to try to learn information about an object or person and implies a diligent procurement of the information required. Those who have no desire for Elohim do not seek Him and are not interested in discovering and learning more about Him.

I do hope that you are with me so far, as we have simply laid the foundation of who this call to listen up, is being to!

It is being given to true pursuers of righteousness, which are also true seekers of יהוה! The pursuit of righteousness and the seeking of יהוה goes hand in hand and cannot be divorced from each other!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:14 “Pursue peace with all, and pursue apartness without which no one shall see the Master.”

Only those who pursue apartness will have their deliverance made complete and see the Master, face to face, and not be destroyed!

The word for Set-apartness in the Greek is ἁγιασμόςhagiasmos – Strong’s G38 – ‘consecration, sanctifying, purification’ and we know that this is the desire of Elohim:

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 “For this is the desire of Elohim: your set-apartness! – that you should abstain from whoring, 4 that each one of you should know how to possess his own vessel in set-apartnessand respect, 5 not in passion of lust, like the gentiles who do not know Elohim, 6 not to overstep and take advantage of his brother in this matter, because the Master is the revenger of all such, as we indeed said to you before and earnestly warned. 7 For Elohim did not call us to uncleanness, but in set-apartness.”

The Hebrew word for ‘set-apart/set-apartness’, as most of you may know, comes from the noun קֹדֶשׁqoḏesh – Strong’s H6944 – and it means ‘apartness/ consecrated/ dedicated/ that which is dedicated and separated unto יהוה’. The word is really self-explanatory and carries with it great weight in its identification of truly setting something or someone apart from another with a clear distinction of being marked as separate and apart from the rest.

How are you doing in possessing your own vessel, which is your body, in set-apartness? Have you truly separated yourself from the profane and common things or do you find the lines between the set-apart and profane being blurred by compromise and laziness!

Set-apartness certainly takes work, and when one is idle in duty then laziness leads to compromise and the inability to distinguish the difference between what is set-apart and what is common!

With this call to listen to יהוה, we are told that we are to LOOK (Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51 (b))!

Look where, or at what?

In verse 1 and 2 we are told where or who to look at, which highlights a very clear lesson on where our eyes should be fixed!

In verse 1 we are told to look to the rock you were hewn from and from the hole of the pit you were dug from.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘look’ in both verses 1 and 2 is הַבִּ֙יטוּ֙ – habbiythu which comes from the primitive root verb נָבַטnaḇat – Strong’s H5027 which means, ‘to look, behold, gaze, observe, pay attention’ and it is written here in the ‘hifil’ verb tense, which is the ‘causative’ tense and highlights for us the clear call being given here to those who have ears to hear!

In your attentive hearing, be caused to look where you should be and not have your eyes and ears turning away from the Truth!

We are to be looking to the Rock we were hewn from!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘rock’ isצוּרtsur – Strong’s H6697 which means, ‘rock, cliff, stones, strength, block of stone, boulder’. This Hebrew word is used metaphorically, in speaking of Messiah, our Rock and Refuge!

The Hebrew root word translated as ‘hewn’ is חָצַבḥatsaḇ - Strong’s H2672 and is written in the ‘qal active’ tense which means, ‘to hew, hew out, to dig, dive, cleave’.

In Tehillah/Psalm 29Dawiḏ tell us in:

Tehillah/Psalm 29:7 “The voice of יהוהcutsthrough the flames of fire.”

The Hebrew word used here for ‘cuts’ is חָצַבḥatsaḇ - Strong’s H2672, and this carries a great lesson in reminding us that יהוה is a consuming fire, and by the power of His voice He builds His House, and we are told to look to the Rock we were hewn from, in:

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:1 “Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, seeking יהוה: Look to the rock you were hewnfrom, and to the hole of the pit you were dug from.”

It is through His powerful voice that we are causes to be formed and shaped into His image, by the consuming fire of His jealousy for us, as His voice cuts away that which does not belong, burning away the dross of our lives, as we submit to the refining fire of His Voice! Are you listening to His voice and looking to the Rock?

The Word of יהוה has gone out and does not return empty, for it accomplishes all that He has spoken through the Torah, the Prophets and Writings spoken – and here Dawiḏ makes clear the power of the voice of יהוה that brings us back to Him.

We are living stones, being built up in The Master, The Rock of our Deliverance, and have been perfectly grafted in, by His Blood, to the Covenants of promise, which we were once far off from and strangers to!

He has redeemed us from the pit of destruction and has set our feet upon the Rock!

Tehillah/Psalm 40:2 “And He drew me out of the pit of destruction, out of the muddy clay, and He set my feet upon a rock, He is establishing my steps.”

Looking to the rock we were hewn from and the hole of the pit we were dug from, reminds us to be looking to our Master and Elohim, יהושע Messiah!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 12:1-2 “We too, then, having so great a cloud of witnesses all around us, let us lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, 2lookingto the Princely Leader and Perfecter of our belief, יהושע, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the stake, having despised the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of Elohim.”

The Greek word for that is translated here as ‘looking’ is ἀφοράω–aphorao - Strong’s G872 which means ‘to look/ to turn eyes away from all other things and fix them on something’. Metaphorically speaking it means, ‘to fix the mind upon/ give full attention/ looking intently upon/ to take heed’, and it can also carry the meaning, ‘to consider carefully, attentively look at’.

This word comes from the two Greek words: ἀπόapo – Strong’s G575 which is a preposition and participle that means, ‘from, away from, at, in, to’ and the word ὁράωhoraō – Strong’s G3708 which means, ‘to see, perceive, attend to, take heed, see with the mind, beware, to see – as in becoming acquainted with by experience’.

The two words used here for our Messiah are:

PRINCE - ἀρχηγός - archēgos –Strong’s G747 – translates as ‘prince, captain, chief leader and author’ and describes ‘one that takes the lead in anything and thus affords an example, a predecessor in a matter, pioneer’.

PERFECTER - τελειωτής - teleiōtēs – Strong’s G5051 – this is the only place this Greek word and denotes a ‘finisher, completer, perfecter’ and describes ‘one who has in his own person raised faith to its perfection and so set before us the highest example of faith’. This is a description given only to יהושע Messiah who has become the supreme model for us to follow.

We are told to be ‘looking’ to Messiah – and what we can see from the verse before this one, is that in order to be able to properly ‘look’ at Messiah, we need to throw off and lay aside every weight and sin that easily entangles us and run with endurance - looking intently at our King as we run faithfully as servants of the Most High Elohim!

Many are trying to run, yet find themselves getting tired and unable to endure the hardships and persecutions that come as a result of trying to be set-apart amidst a crooked generation!

The question that you need to ask yourself as you take an eye test so to speak is, “What are you looking at?” Are you looking at Messiah?

We are to look to Messiah and careful consider our ways and we are, at the same time, to make sure that our eyes are not looking elsewhere as we ‘take heed’ of the dangers of the corrupt teachings of man-made dogmas and traditions that lead people astray. If we are not looking to our Master, Saviour, Elohim and King then our eyes may be dangerously looking at that which cannot save us!

In Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:3 we are also told to look to Aḇraham and Sarah! This is a clear call to look to the Covenant that יהוהmade with Aḇraham! This is very important for us to understand and highlights the clear fact that we cannot be properly looking to Messiah, our Rock, if we are not looking intently into His covenant and the conditions of His covenant that He has come to restore and renew in us!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 1 gives us the genealogy of Messiah, which begins with Aḇraham and ends with יהושע Messiah!

יהושע Messiah is the beginning and the end, and was before Aḇraham even came to be!

Yoḥanan/John 8:58 “יהושעsaid to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Aḇraham came to be, I am.”

This call to look to the Rock and to Aḇraham, highlights a clear call to look to our Master, redeemer and King, יהושע Messiah, who has, by His blood, caused us to be grafted in to His covenant that He made with Aḇraham, and in doing so, we can be comforted in the knowledge that יהוהdoes not break covenant, giving us the assurance that, in Messiah, we have a secure inheritance!

Look to Messiah and get back to being obedient to the Covenant!!!

This is a very powerful passage that highlights that one cannot be looking to Messiah without having our eyes fixed in His Torah and therefore highlights how we are to be a hearing, guarding and doing people of Elohim. Hearing, guarding and doing His Torah! For if we are not, then we are not looking to the prince and Perfecter of our belief!

So many today may claim that they are looking to Messiah, while their lives are riddled with compromise and they are doing works of unrighteousness and are lawless! They are ‘looking in vain’, for their hearts are far from the Rock of our Deliverance!

For those who have their ears and eyes open to the Truth and are pursuing righteousness, the comforting words of verse 3 will cause them to be strengthened in the Master and give the proper praise that is due to His Name!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘comfort’ comes from the root word נָחַםnaḥam – Strong’s H5162 which means, ‘to comfort, console, to be comforted’ and can, in many ways, carry the understanding of receiving a recovery of breath!

Qorintiyim Bet/2 Corinthians 1:3-4 “Blessed be the Elohim and Father of our Master יהושע Messiah, the Father of compassion and Elohim of all comfort, 4 who is comforting us in all our pressure, enabling us to comfort those who are in every pressure, through the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by Elohim.”

With His comfort we can comfort each other! And we can see this, as we take note that it is translated as ‘encourage’ in:

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 3:12-13 “Look out, brothers, lest there be in any of you a wicked heart of unbelief in falling away from the living Elohim, 13 but encourage one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened by the deceivableness of sin.”

Through the empowering comfort of our Master, we can comfort and encourage each other, so as to guard each other against the dangers of the deceivableness of sin!

What is worth taking note of here, in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:3, is that with the promising comfort of Elohim, comes the restoration of joy, gladness, thanksgiving and praise!

This should be the resulting action of His comforting word over us, as we look to Him and His Covenants of Promise, constantly pursuing righteousness as we seek Him in all we do!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 12:3 “And you shall draw water with joyfrom the fountains of deliverance.”

It is with great gladness that we draw water from the fountain of deliverance! We can learn from this what a joy it is for us to come together and draw much from the water of the Word and do so with gladness. How prepared do you come each week, as we gather on the Shabbat? Are you drawing water with joy, or have you come burdened with the cares of the world! – A true life of praise comes joyfully to draw and be delightfully refreshed!!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘gladness’ is שִׂמְחָהsimḥah – Strong’s H8057 which means, ‘joy, gladness, delight, festival, pleasure’, and comes from the root שָׂמַחsamaḥ – Strong’s H8055 and means, ‘to rejoice, be glad, be joyful, delight in and be elated’, which we have already looked at, giving us the picture how we are to carry His joy as the light of the world and let praise and rejoicing abound!

In the ancient pictographic script this word שִׂמְחָהsimḥah – Strong’s H8057looks like this:

Shin -שָׂ:

This is the letter ‘shin’ which in the ancient script is pictured as , which is ‘two front teeth’ and carries the meaning of ‘sharp or press, chew or devour’; which is what the teeth do, and also speaks of the sharpened word that comes forth from the mouth, as the teeth ‘chew’ or ‘meditate’ on the Truth, making what comes forth pure and sharp! It also carries the understanding of consuming or destroying – as teeth do to food. This can give us the meaning of WORD or Words.

Mem –מַ:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘water’, and also carries the meaning of ‘chaos’ (from the storms of the sea) and can also picture that which is mighty or massive as well as the unknown. We are also able to understand this letter as representing the nations, for the nations are often likened to the seas in Scripture. This also carries for us the picture of washing, as we understand the function of water being that which cleanses us and sustains us, showing us how we are washed and sustained by the Living Waters of the Word! This letter also can represent any liquid, especially blood!

Ḥet – ח:

The ancient script has this letter as which is a ‘tent wall’, and carries a meaning of ‘SEPARATION’, as a tent wall separates two halves of the tent; or it can also reflect the outside walls that separate the people inside from that which is outside and so can also symbolise protection and security to those inside, while picturing a cutting off of those who are outside. Hence this letter can mean ‘established, secure’ as well as ‘cut off, separated from’. As a tent wall we are also able to recognise the picture of stones being built up to make a complete wall, having been separated from the world and built up in the master!

Hey – ה:

The ancient script has this letter pictured as , which is ‘a man standing with his arms raised out’. The meaning of the letter is “behold, look, breath, sigh and reveal or revelation”; from the idea of revealing a great sight by pointing it out. It also carries for us the meaning of surrender, as we lift up our hands and submit to יהוה as we lift our hands in praise, declaring His authority under which we humbly submit!

When looking at this word in its pictographic form, in terms of our command to rejoice, we are able to see why we are able to rejoice as we recognise the following:

BEHOLD,THE WORD THAT WASHES US HAS SEPARATED US AND SECURED US AND IS TO BE PRAISED!

This is a clear reason to serve with gladness, for as long as we allow the Word to wash us and keep us clean, we are able to confidently make our boast in Elohim, whom we give continual thanks and praise to with much gladness, as we are built up as living stones in the Master; living stones that offer up our lives as a daily living offering with rejoicing praise and obedient thanksgiving!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘thanksgiving’ comes from the root wordתּוֹדָהtoḏah – Strong’s H8426 which is a noun that means, ‘thanksgiving, confession, praise’, and comes from the primitive root verb יָדָהyaḏah – Strong’s H3034, which literally means ‘to throw, shoot or cast, to confess, laud with praise,extol, i.e., make a public confession of the attributes and acts of power of a person’. And when we consider the Hebrew word יָדyaḏ – Strong’s H3027, which means ‘hand’, we are able to see why the expression of ‘giving thanks’ is understood in the Hebrew as ‘extending the hands in praise’.

As we consider this word תּוֹדָהtoḏah – Strong’s H8426 in terms of ‘praise/thanksgiving’ we are able to properly understand why Sha’ul tells us in Timotiyos Aleph/1 Timothy 2:8 that men everywhere should ‘lift up their hands that are set-apart’ in prayer! For this is our true expression of ‘giving thanks in all’, as it is done with ‘extended hands that are set-apart’ in our continual willing obedience of working unto Elohim (extending the hand) in all we do; while at the same time, giving Him esteem and praise. Giving thanks is not a silent matter and it must be seen in our work ethic too, as our actions may often speak louder than words!

Our giving thanks is seen in what we do, wherever we are – as we sojourn here as ambassadors of the reign to come!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘song’ comes from the root word זִמְרָהzimrah – Strong’s H2172 which means, ‘sound, melody, song (in praise of Yah)’ and comes from the primitive root verb זָמַרzamar – Strong’s H2167which means, ‘to make music (in praise of Elohim), sing praises’. This also means,‘striking with the fingers’, and more properly mean, ‘to touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument’

Tehillah/Psalm 66:2 “Singout the splendour of His Name; make His praise esteemed.”

‘Zamar’ is one of the musical verbs for praise in Tehillim (Psalms) and is often translated as ‘sing praises’:

In Tehillah/Psalms 149:3 we see זָמַרzamar – Strong’s H2167being used as ‘sing praises’ or in other translations as ‘make melody’ with tambourine and harp.

What a joy it is to have the gift of זָמַרzamar – Strong’s H2167praise happening here in our midst, as יהוה continues to inspire Carlien and others to produce such wonderful songs, in praise unto our Elohim – together with the ‘striking of the fingers’!

This promised comforting Truth of the Word of our Master, who we seek with our all, restores a proper life of abundant praise! The question is – can this comforting restoration be seen in yours?

A restoration of joy, gladness, thanksgiving and song!

His renewing breath of comfort must cause us to be glad, rejoice, give thanks and sing praises to our Elohim!

How evident is this in your life?

In Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:4 we again see the call being given to listen! LISTEN TO ME MY PEOPLE!

Repeatedly throughout the Scriptures we see the call to ‘listen’, and often with it the clear rebuke for any nation who would not listen, nor give heed to the words of the prophets, who called a backsliding people back to the Torah.

This word is often also translated as ‘pay attention’, and we know that if people actually paid attention to the Word and did what it actually says, they would not find themselves in the terrible confused mess that they find themselves being consumed in.

Most will rather listen, and pay attention, to what their twisted traditions say – traditions that have been born out of falsified interpretations that are simply designed to satisfy the selfishness of the flesh, rather than to actually submit and obey the truth of walking according to the Spirit.

If this call to pay attention was not clear enough on its own, we see יהוה also saying, ‘AND GIVE EAR TO ME, O MY NATION’.

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘give ear’ is הַאֲזִ֑ינוּ – ha’aziynu which come from the root word אָזַןazan – Strong’s H238 which means, ‘to give, ear, listen, pay attention, perceived by ear’, and while this also carries the meaning, ‘to listen and listen attentively’, it literally means to ‘cup the ear’! In other words, it means, ‘give your complete attention and be obedient to take it all in’.

Both of these words, ‘listen’ and ‘give ear’, are written in the ‘hiphil’ verb form, which renders a causative form and highlights the call being given here: Be caused to pay attention and listen very carefully!

Then an important truth is declared, which states that the Torah goes forth from יהוה and His right-ruling He sets as a light to the peoples!

This is clear covenant obedience that is being called for, in order for us to properly shine the light of His Truth amidst a darkened world!

This call to listen carefully and give complete attention, followed by the truth that the Torah goes forth from יהוה is a very clear call to have attentive ears to the proper hearing of the Torah!

In the comfort of deliverance, we are to be caused, not only to rejoice, given thanks and praise our Master, but we are also are to be caused to give a proper hearing to His Torah!

So many today have neglected this call and have, as a result of the twisted falsehood or man-made traditions, turned their ear away from the hearing of the Torah! To them it is just a song and a dance, with no ear to hear!

Mishlĕ/Proverbs 28:9 “He who turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.”

While many may claim that they do in fact read the Word, this turning one’s ear away from hearing the Torah, is more than simply turning a deaf ear, as it implies a refusal to do what the Torah teaches and commands! There are many who may even recite or quote passages from the Torah, yet their refusal to actually guard to do what is commanded therein, highlights that they are turning their ear from a proper hearing of the Torah! We are to be hearers and doers of the Word and not hearers only! Hearers only are those who turn away their ear and have no right to take up our Master’s covenant upon their lips!

Tehillah/Psalm 50:16-17 “But to the wrong Elohim said, “What right have you to recite My laws, or take My covenant in your mouth, 17while you hated instruction and cast My Words behind you?”

He has set His right-ruling as a light to peoples! This highlights that His instructions and commands and teachings, contained in His Torah, He has given as that which must lead peoples in the Truth! Sadly, many prefer to walk in darkness and reject the light!

There is only One who gives us the Law by which we must live and by which we are governed and these judgements and right-rulings and regulations given by Him we must DO!!!

His מִשְׁפָּטmishpat – Strong’s H4941 are what we could call the ‘legal procedures’ or firm rulings that are non-negotiable! In other words, this was how the community would be ruled and how any issues that would arise could be dealt with in a prescribed way that is just and fair.

These are what we could call the ‘social laws’ that clearly teach us how to get on with each other and how we are to behave and how we are to live according to how we have been created to be in יהושע.

Tehillah/Psalm 89:14 “Righteousness and right-ruling are the foundation of Your throne; loving-commitment and truth go before Your face.”

Tehillah/Psalm 97:2 “Clouds and darkness all around Him, righteousness and right-ruling are the foundation of His throne.”

The Hebrew word for ‘light’ the word אוֹרoor – Strong’s H216 which we know in Scripture, in being the opposite to darkness, carries with it the clear significance it has for us in speaking of knowledge and insight and understanding.

In fact, in Berěshith/Genesis 1:3 when Elohim said, “let light come to be”; I firmly believe that He was in essence saying that His Word brings order to the chaos, and wisdom and understanding is established by His Word as His Light brings order that restores confusion!

We take note of what is said in:

Tehillah/Psalm 112:4 (a) “Light has risen in the darkness to the straight ones, those showing favour.”

When Elohim created the heavens and the earth ‘darkness’ was on the face of the deep, and Elohim said ‘Let Light come to be’ and He separated the ‘light’ from the ‘darkness’ and called the ‘light’ day and the ‘darkness’ He called night.

Tas’loniqim Aleph/1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 “But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. 5 For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.”

In the plague of darkness over Mitsrayim, we are told that thick darkness came over the land and they could not even see each other for 3 days!!!

This darkness represented the complete removal of the presence of יהוה from the Mitsrians, while the ‘Light’ of His presence remained with the children of Yisra’ĕl, who had light in their dwellings!

Yeshayahu/Isaiah 60:2 “For look, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness the peoples. But יהוה arises over you, and His esteem is seen upon you.”

Darkness snuffed out life for Mitsrayim; and without light life ceased.

Scripture said that no one could move. They were literally paralyzed for those three days.

Without the life support of light, even the air around them was thickened and immobile and breathing was even difficult for many. Fire could not even burn. This plague was so terrible they could actually feel the darkness.

The blessing of obedience is that, in the midst of the darkness of ignorance and sin, Messiah came and let His Light shine so that the straight ones who believe in Him will find favour and be equipped to see, and in turn, be able to shine that light for others to see!!!

Tehillah/Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Yoḥanan /John 8:12 “Therefore יהושע spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall by no means walk in darkness, but possess the light of life.”

Our Master, the Rock of our Deliverance, is the Light that came to be… He made manifest His Light, and brought forth the very form of how He would interact with His creation. In Him there is no darkness and so by the light that was brought forth and was good, we are able to see how The Word – that is יהושע – was right there, in the beginning, for He is יהוה our Messiah – for Elohim is Light!!!

In the ancient pictographic script, we are able to see a powerful explanation of this when looking at the Hebrew word for light in its ancient form!

The Hebrew word for light – אוֹר ‘oor’ – Strong’s H216 – in its ancient pictographic form looks like this:

Aleph - א:

The ancient script has this letter as and is pictured as ‘the head of an ox’, and represents ‘strength’, meaning ‘muscle’ as the ox is the strongest of the livestock animals. This also carries the meaning of ‘yoke’, as an ox is placed in a yoke in order to plough or pull a heavy load in the right direction. This can also picture for us the ‘red heifer’ sacrifice that יהושעMessiah fulfilled!

Waw/vav - וֹ:

The Ancient picture for this letter is , is pictured as a peg or ‘tent peg’, which was used for securing or tying the tent or other items. The possibility of it having a Y-shape is to show that it prevents the rope from slipping off. The root meaning of this letter is ‘to add, secure or hook’.

Resh – ר:

The Ancient picture for this letter is , ‘the head of a man’. This letter has the meanings of ‘head or man’ as well as ‘chief, top, beginning or first’.

From these pictographic letters that render the term for ‘light’ we are able to clearly see who our strength is and in whom we are secure:

THE BEGINNING OF OUR STRENGTH IS SECURED IN OUR HEAD, WHO IS THE LIGHT!

This is the beginning of wisdom!!! In Messiah, through Messiah and by Messiah all things were made – for He is the Light – the very visible and exact representation of Elohim, not a separate person, but Elohim Himself!!!

We, as children of light, have been called by our Master to be the light and to let our light shine before men! We can only do this when we are paying proper attention and giving our ears to the hearing of His Torah, in order to do it!

Verse 5 of Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51 reminds us that His righteousness is near and His deliverance is coming! The questions are – are you waiting as you should? Are you seeking as you should? Are you listening as you should? Are you shining as you should?

Those who are working out their deliverance with fear and trembling, walking in the light of the face of our Master and Elohim, will have the deliverance of Elohim made complete in their lives, when He comes to gather His remnant Bride!

In verse 6 we see the call to look to the heavens and earth, for these are the two faithful witnesses of His Truth! When He comes, these two witnesses will be no longer required as His deliverance will be fully revealed and His everlasting righteousness be confirmed!

Once again, we see in verse 7, the call to listen!

LISTEN TO ME YOU WHO KNOW RIGHTEOUSNESS, A PEOPLE IN WHOSE HEART IS MY TORAH!

Who is to be listening?

Those who know righteousness – because they have been pursuing it!!!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘know’ comes from the root word יָדַעyaḏa – Strong’s H3045 which means ‘to acknowledge, clearly understand, to perceive, distinguish and discern’ and it implies the ability to respond to, and recognise, the Master’s voice.

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 2:3-5 “And by this we know that we know Him, if we guard His commands. 4 The one who says, “I know Him,” and does not guard His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever guards His Word, truly the love of Elohim has been perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.”

Qorintiyim Aleph/1 Corinthians 8:3 “But if anyone loves Elohim, this one is known by Him.”

To love Elohim, gives us the sure promise that we are known by Him!

Sadly, many do not ‘know’ what love for Elohim is:

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 5:3 “For this is the love for Elohim, that we guard His commands, and His commands are not heavy”

Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John 4:8 “The one who does not love does not know Elohim, for Elohim is love.”

The Greek word used for ‘know’ in Yoḥanan Aleph/1 John is γινώσκωginōskō – Strong’s G1097 which means, ‘to perceive, to learn, to come to know, comprehend, understand, recognise, learn to know, get a knowledge of’.

As we sit under the instructions of our Creator and Redeemer, we learn to know Him and get a knowledge of who He is and come to know how we are to live in obedience to His clear Torah. There are so many liars out there today who claim to know Elohim, yet they have no knowledge of His Torah at all, as they refuse to sit and learn His Word – how can they know Him!!!

It is one thing to claim that you know Him, yet whether we know Him or not is seen in the fruit of our obedience to His commands, and all will be clearly revealed when He returns – as many will come running claiming they know Him, yet will be rejected!

While many today claim to ‘know’ Elohim, their refusal to submit to walking in the Torah and guarding His commands, and their refusal to keep His Appointed Times, simply reveals their lack of knowledge of who Elohim is, and unless they seek Him in order to know Him and walk in Him, will sadly find themselves being rejected by the One who they thought they knew!

Mattithyahu/Matthew 7: 21-23 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Master, Master,’ shall enter into the reign of the heavens, but he who is doing the desire of My Father in the heavens. 22 “Many shall say to Me in that day, ‘Master, Master, have we not prophesied in Your Name, and cast out demons in Your Name, and done many mighty works in Your Name?’ 23 “And then I shall declare to them, ‘I never knew you, depart from Me, you who work lawlessness!”

After these words יהושע proceeded to tell the parable of the one who ‘hears’ His Words and does them will be a wise man who builds on the rock!!!

Repeatedly we find, throughout the historical records contained in Scripture, that both the Houses of Yisra’ĕl and Yehuḏah were often guilty of not ‘hearing’ and acknowledging their Master’s voice. Instead, they were feeding themselves on pagan traditions rather than the truth – which is a clear mirror image of what we see happening today by many, and more specifically by the church who operate not on the Rock of Truth, but rather on the twisted application of man-made and man-driven dogmas rooted in pagan worship – those who follow false tradition over truth are those that do not know Him, and He will declare He never knew them!

In verses 9-11we see an appeal by Yeshayahu to יהוה, to arise and bring His deliverance, and he calls out saying to Elohim, “Wasn’t it Youיהוהwho defeated Pharaoh and redeemed His people from Mitsrayim?”

The Hebrew wordרַהַבRahaḇ Strong’s H7293, which is used in verse 9, was an emblematic name of Mitsrayim and actually means, ‘storm, act boisterously or arrogantly’ and represents pride! The Crocodile is also a reference to Pharaoh, who was known as the great sea-monster and was also worshipped as their sun-god!

This call for יהוה to once again arise and deliver His people was an earnest plea, and cry, to let the ransomed of יהוה return. He had ransomed Yisra’ĕl from Mitsrayim, and while they had strayed and fallen away, they were still His ransomed nation and the cry being given here was that He let them return to Him, to which יהוה responds with great encouraging and comforting words.

He reminds us further who He is – He is the Creator of the heavens and earth, why should we be afraid of men that are like grass, or of the oppressor, Satan, who יהוה has crushed.

In verse 12יהוה makes it clear that He is the One who comforts us and therefore, knowing this, we should not be afraid of what man can do to us!!!

Iḇ’rim/Hebrews 13:5-6 “Let your way of life be without the love of silver, and be satisfied with what you have. For He Himself has said, “I shall never leave you nor forsake you,”6 so that we boldly say, “יהוהis my helper, I shall not fear what man shall do to me.”

People forget יהוה because of the fear of man! By that I mean that people forget, or neglect to obey, when they fear what man can do to them! As an example, some will compromise their walk and break the Sabbath for work, in fear of being fired!

He has put His Word in our hearts and in our mouths to do it – not to shrink back from doing good – but to do it and stand up for His Truth, not fearing any man!

To the righteous, we can confidently say: Do not let man oppress you, for יהוה of Hosts is with you and He fights for you and He is your defender, do not fear the empty and vain threats of man!

It is His Word, that is in our hearts and mouths, to do it, that will cause us to stand and keep standing, armed in His Truth, for we are His people!

This truth ought to cause us to be awakened from any sleep or slumber!

Hence the call being given in Yeshayahu/Isaiah 51:17 to AWAKE, AWAKE YOURSELF! RISE UP!

The Hebrew word that is translated as ‘awake’ comes from the root verb עוּרur – Strong’s H5782 which means, ‘to rouse oneself, awake, arise, stirred’ and is written in the causative form and highlights once again the need for the strengthening truth of our Master to be that which causes us to awaken and rise up and take our stand, in Him!

The Hebrew that is translated as ‘rise up’ comes from the root verb קוּםqum – Strong’s H6965 which means, ‘to arise, stand up, stand’ and in the tense that this is written in, we see that it is in the active voice and is a clear command, which renders the clear meaning of, ‘to rise, to become powerful, to stand firm, to maintain oneself, to be established, endure’.

Heart and minds that are properly set on seeking יהוה, are hearts and minds that are established in the Master and are equipped to stand, and after having done all, continue to stand, and when one has feet that are firmly planted in the Truth, meditating on the Torah of Elohim, night and day, then you will be able to be prosperous in being built up as a living stone in the Master and able to build the set-apart place of Elohim, which you are!

The Good News of the deliverance of our Elohim must cause us to be awake and be alert!

The clear message being given in this chapter can be summarised as:

AWAKE YOURSELF, LOOK UP AND LISTEN!

He who has ears to hear, hear what the Spirit says!!!

Our Master is coming soon, and He is coming for His Ready Bride! How ready are you?

Let His Word cause you to be awake, have eyes to see, ears to hear and be equipped with His strengthening joy to be glad, give thanks and rejoice with the voice of song, declaring His praises continually!

יהוה bless you and guard you; יהוה make His face shine upon you and show favour to you; יהוה lift up His face to you and give you Shalom